My Work Is Never Done

Up at dawn I could not sleep

Al was in  pain way too deep

Crew was here to build the ramp

And all I wanted to do was take a nap

Shower girl showed up on time

Wish she would come sometime after nine

Cali, the kitty was all wound up

Too many people, she was running a muck

Saws and hammers is all I heard

Couldn’t even hear my tiny little birds

After the crew went home for the day

I wanted to go outside and enjoy the rays

But there was finishing work that need to be

Cleaned up and things that I could see

No play time for me, only Al and Cali got that

I heard cracks and moans on my poor old back

I swept and moved furniture back in its place

I felt like I was running in some old lady’s race

It was dusk when I walked into our front door

The kitty was sleeping and Al was half on the floor

He was trying to get up to go potty he said

But his legs would not move, and I think they were dead

I waited to see if he was going to fall

I was not dressed to go to  the emergency hall

He made it in his time without a hitch

I thought to myself that life is a bitch

Back to the couch he made it once more

And I went to the shower, and threw my clothes on the floor

The water running over me felt oh so good

I didn’t want to leave but I knew that I should

My smokes and my coffee are here in front of me

And now I’m here with you, just as it should be

Ramp For Al!

This is the beginning to the end of the structuring of the new ramp for Al. A program called Day of Caring is who put this all together. From what I learned this is done by the United Way. You fill out an application, and if you fit the bill, so to speak, they get different companies to get together and they go around the county and do these projects for people who are in need of extra help. A church group led by one of our local banks is who did the physical work. Al is not quite sure how to use it, and doesn’t seem to get the idea of how much this will help him, but I think once I show him he can go from the car straight into the house with no more stairs, he is going to love it.

I am so grateful for this ramp, as it will make Al’s moving a lot easier.

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Just For Now, Or a Little Longer

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1911, To Return Back To Then

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If you love gardens, you will love this.

Just For Now, Or a Little Longer

I am very nervous this morning and not sure why. I think I slept well but I do know the cat, kitty, has been very playful running all through the house. She has just now settled down for a morning nap after three hours of play.

Today, also there are many people in our yard and a lot of noise. This may be the reason for the stress. A ramp is being installed for my brother. I have been taking photos of the progress and will show them later on.

Al didn’t wake up in a good mood at all. He bitched, and I use this word lightly, excuse me, but he did all the way through his breakfast. He hurt, he couldn’t open this or that. He was tired.

I know all this!!! See the stress! I hear it almost daily. What in the world do you want me to do? I offer to open, pour, tear and even feed. You are the one who is fighting me with the help. I know you want to remain independent, but when you can not do something, for heaven sakes lower that pride and ask!!!

I take him back to the doctor this coming Friday and we will have the priority being pain medications or being sent to pain management. I am ticking down the hours until Friday gets here.

Yesterday I started making the process of phone calls to help place Al, but was stopped pretty much  in my tracks. I have issues, issues with strangers coming into our home, into our finances, and making their own assumptions on our tidy little family here. I don’t mean to sound gruff, but sometimes companies, businesses, and others just don’t see things the way I do, and their way of caring is by rule books and not by the heart.

Also, last evening, I got an email that took me back in time to when I worked over 20  years in the medical field in hospitals and nursing homes, private care and hospice. I was suddenly remembering that sometimes when patients have mentality problems, well, I will just say, things can be different.

I have pretty well for now, until I am forced by this illness, decided to hire another care giver who will spend much more time here, actually helping Al with his daily needs and my getting out of the house. This would help so much for both of us.

Some may not understand my reasons, but I have to follow my instincts for now and do what is best for the two of us. I know there will come a time, when no matter how many caregivers are here, nothing will help, but for now I want him here where I can help him and show him I love him, just for now, a little longer.

1911, To Return Back To Then

I can’t believe the changes. I have to wonder what it will be like in the future when I am no longer here.

1911 Ford Model T

THE YEAR IS 1911

This will boggle your mind, I know it did mine!

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The year is 1911 — One hundred years ago.
What a difference a century makes!
Here are some statistics for the Year 1911:

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The average life expectancy for men was 47 years.

Fuel for this car was sold in drug stores only.

Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.

Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.

There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads.

The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.

The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower !

The average US wage in 1910 was 22 cents per hour.

The average US worker made between $200 and $400 per year ..

A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year, A dentist $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.

More than 95 percent of all births took place at home .

Ninety percent of all Doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION! Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as “substandard.”

Sugar cost four cents a pound.

Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.

Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.

Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.

Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.

The Five leading causes of death were:

1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke

The American flag had 45 stars…

The population of Las Vegas , Nevada , was only 30!!!

Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn’t been invented yet.

There was neither a Mother’s Day nor a Father’s Day.

Two out of every 10 adults couldn’t read or write and only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.

Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores.

Back then pharmacists said, “Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, Regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health!” ( Shocking? )

Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help …..

There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A. !

I am now going to forward this to someone else without typing it myself.

From there, it will be sent to others all over the WORLD – all in a matter of seconds!

Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years.